!! Weigh Station to Sha-ron float is closed until October 31st !!

The Clark Fork above Missoula is continuing to drop and is now around 2,440 cfs. That is down from the last report and puts the river into a lower summer range. Water temperatures are warming into the upper 60s, so fishing is becoming more time-sensitive. The river is still very fishable, but the best action should come early, late, or during cloud cover.

Look for fish along grassy banks, inside bends, foam lines, side channels, drop-offs, riffle edges, and soft seams near heavier current. Dry-dropper rigs remain one of the best ways to search on the Clark Fork. A Golden Stone, Chubby, Water Walker, or terrestrial-style dry with a PMD nymph, caddis pupa, Frenchie, or Perdigon underneath will cover a lot of productive water. Nymphing will be the most reliable option during the bright, hot parts of the day.

Hatches are moving into the summer mix. Golden Stones are still worth fishing, but PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, caddis, nocturnal stones, and terrestrials are becoming more important. PMD spinner dry-fly action can be good in the morning, especially in slower slicks, flats, foam lines, and tailouts where fish can feed steadily. Watch for soft rise forms before walking through shallow edge water.

Caddis fishing in the evening should be a major part of the program. As the sun starts to set, look for fish moving into riffle edges, banks, foam lines, and soft current tongues. Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, and smaller attractors should all be in play.

Weather around Missoula is hot, with a heavy thunderstorm chance today and more heat Saturday. The storm risk could briefly affect clarity, but cloudy windows may also help the dry-fly bite. Fish early and late, and keep an eye on water temperatures.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Golden Stones #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• Water Walkers #6-10
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• PMDs #14-18
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-14
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18
• Ants and beetles #12-16

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Zirdles #6-10
• Frenchies #14-16
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Psycho May #14-18
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18
• Prince Nymphs #12-16

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Mini Dungeons
• Peanut Envy
• Sculpzilla
• Thin Mint
• Woolly Buggers
• Kreelex
• Barely Legal
• Small sculpin patterns